This year, the Floyd County Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education Program (NEP) partnered with clientele at The Mountain Center for Recovery and Hope, Rising Point, and Hope in the Mountains. The Nutrition Education Program’s “Healthy Choices for Your Recovering Body” curriculum was utilized. This curriculum serves to help participants gain knowledge and develop skills that lead to improved behavior changes in diet quality, physical activity, food safety, food resource management, and food preparation skills, all within the scope of substance use recovery.

At these recovery centers, 100% (17 of 17) participants who participated in the nutrition education classes reported higher cooking skills confidence. Furthermore, all also reported that they intended to use self-care strategies, eat healthier and be more active to improve their recovery. This is a big deal because it not only helps these participants make healthy meals, but also boosts their self-esteem and independence. They feel more capable, and this positive change helps them in other parts of their recovery.

Learning to cook healthy meals is very important for those recovering from substance abuse. Good nutrition helps heal the body and mind, reducing cravings, balancing mood, and increasing energy. With their new cooking skills, participants can make better food choices that support both their physical and mental recovery. The success of these classes shows how important it is to treat the whole person in substance abuse recovery. By teaching practical life skills like cooking, this program helps participants build a healthier, more balanced life.